Now Commenting On:

Castro sprains left ankle on slide into home

Shortstop exits game after first inning, replaced by Baez in infield

9/2/14: Starlin Castro slides awkwardly into home on Jorge Soler's RBI single and is forced to exit the game

By Carrie Muskat
/
MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro left Tuesday's game with a sprained left ankle suffered in an awkward slide at home plate in the first inning, and initial tests ruled out any fracture.

Castro underwent an MRI and X-rays on his ankle Tuesday, and was to be evaluated further. The team expected test results on Wednesday.

Castro had singled with one out and one on in the first and was on second base when Jorge Soler singled to left against Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo. As Castro slid into home, his left ankle bent awkwardly underneath him. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, but was obviously limping.

"It just looked very awkward," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "Any time you see somebody cringe in pain, you grab yourself a little bit. Obviously, he walked himself off the field.

"He didn't want to come out of the game," Renteria said. "That's a good sign."

Castro did not return, and Javier Baez moved from second to shortstop.

"We need him in the lineup," Cubs catcher Welington Castillo said of Castro. "That's a guy who doesn't want to miss any games. I hope he's all right. We need him."